Machine for dipping bags



March 6, 1951 E. w. VREDENBURG MACHINE FOR DIPPING BAGS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 14, 1946 FIG. 1.

INVENTOR. EDRlC W. VREDENBURG m M 9- M I ATTORNEKi March 6, 1951 Filed Feb. 14, 1946 E. W VREDENBURG MACHINE FOR DIPPING BAGS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EDRIC w. VREDENBURC; BY

ATTORNEYS """Filed Feb. 14, 1946 5 Sheets-sheet 4 FIG. 4.

March 1951 E. w. VREDENBURG 2,544,199

MACHINE FOR DIPPING BAGS 1N VEN TOR. EDR IC W. VREDENBURG MIM9M ATTORNEY6 M81156, 1.951 v E. w. VREDENBURG 2,544,199

MACHINE FOR DIPPING BAGS Filed Feb. 14, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 EDRI C W. VREDEN BU RG.

M M 9- M ATTORNEKS.

' Patented Mar. 6, 1 951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I I i 2,544,190 I moms roa mrmd mos sin-a w. Vreiienb'org. Berkeley, clue, Mm! to St. Begin Paper Company, New York, N. 2.,

a corporation of New York Application February 14, 1946. Serial No. 647,540 7 cam. (01. 91-46) My invention relates to a machine for 11199 8 bags into liquid material.

As known in the art, an open-mouth bag is formed from a paper tube which is closedat one end by a tape held in position by a line of stitch-- ing. A stitched valve bag is formed from a paper tube which is closed at both ends in the manner described above with respect to the open-mouth bag. When bags of this character are to be filled with hygroscopic materials, the perforations formed by the sewing machine during the stitching operation should be sealed or, closed and this is accomplished, advantageously, by dipping the stitched end or ends of the bags into liquid or molten wax.

In accordance with my invention, the dipping operation described above is performed on a machine which comprises a conveyor or table carrying a plurality of holders disposed above a trough or container which contains the sealing material into which the bags are to be dipped. operation of the machine, the conveyor or table moves continuously and, at a selected location or position, an operator disposes a bundle .ofbags in each holder, each bundle of bags being positioned vertically in its holder with stitched ends thereof lowermost. Thereupon, as successive operations,

each vertical holder moves downwardly to dip the stitched ends of the bags into the sealing material, then horizontally while the stitched ba ends remain immersed in the sealing material, and then upwardly to remove the stitched bag ends from the sealing material. Thereafter, before removal of the bundles of bags from the respective holders, each holder should be tilted to permit'the sealing material to drain from the bags and return to the trough, each holder, while tilted, moving horizontally a desired distance above the aforesaid trough.

During the operation described above, one end of each bag is dipped in the sealing material. Preferably, the arrangement i such that, after completion of the draining operation, each holder,

' while the bundle of bags remains therein, is movable through an angle of 180 degrees to inverted position. Thereafter, during continued operation of the machine, the ends of the bags which are now lowermost are subjected to dippin and draining operations as described above.

It will be recognized in view of the foregoing that the machine is adapted to dip bags either of the open-mouth or stitched valve type. One cycle of operation sumces for open-mouth bags where- During above, stitched valve bags are mbiected to two cycles of operation.

Various other objects, advantages and features of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

My invention resides in the machine for dipping bags, combinations and arrangements of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

For an understanding of my invention and for an illustration of one form of my bag dipping machine, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a transverse sectional view. partly in plan, showing my bag dipping machine as viewed from the line l-l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view, partly broken away, showing the bag dipping machine;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view, glartly in elevation, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, taken on the line H of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on'the line 5-5 of Fig. l; and

Figs. 6 and 7 are schematic views illustrating the dipping and draining steps of my invention.

Referring to Fig. 2, I have shown a base I to which a platform 2 may be secured in suitable manner. supported by the platform 2 is a mo-.

tor 3 which in suitable manner, as by belts 4, op-

erates the high speed shaft 5 of a reduction gear mechanism enclosed in a box 6. The low speed shaft 1 of the reduction gear mechanism has connected thereto a gear wheel 8 which meshes with and drives a gear wheel 9 secured to and rotatable with a vertical shaft l0 journaled in bearings carried, respectively, by the platform 1 and the base I. The shaft ltfcarries a gear wheel ii which meshes with and drives a gear wheel I: secured to and rotatable with a vertical shaft l3, Fig. l. A block structure it upstands from and together with a plate ii issui tably secured to the upper partof the base I. The shaft I3 is journaled in the base i and in the aforesaid block structure it. The upper end of the shaft II has secured thereto a spider or tumas, by reason of the holder inversion described to table i6, Fig. 2, to which upper and lower circular plates I1 and I! are secured in suitable manner, Fig. 3, these plates constituting a conveyor or table as hereinafter described.

Disposed between and suitably secured to the plates l1 and II are vertical sleeves I! which are arranged in sets or pairs extending radially as regards the shaft l8, Fig. 1. As shown in Fig.

amazes 3 3, each sleeve H has a vertical tubular member disposed concentrically therein. Each tubular member 20 should be fixed to the plates l1, II and, to this end, for example, there may be utilized an upper collar 2| which rests upon the upper plate l1 and is suitably secured to the upper end of said tubular member 20. The lower end of each tubular member 20 may have threaded thereto a nut 22 which engages the lower surface of the plate I8 to positively secure said tubular member 20 to the plates l1, l3. -Upper and lower tubular bearing members 23, 24 are disposed within each tubular member 20 and secured thereto in suitable manner. A rod 25 is mounted in and supported by each set of the bearing members 23, 24 for vertical reciprocatory movement. Any suitable arrangement other than the one described may be utilized for supporting each rod 25 for movement as described.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that pairs or sets of the rods 25 may be supported for vertical movement in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3 with respect to the singl rod 25. It will also be understood that the pairs of rods 25 extend radially as regards the shaft l3, Fig. 1.

Each pair of the rods 25 has secured thereto upper and lower cross members 26 and 21, Fig. 3, so that they may be moved vertically as a unit in the manner hereinafter described. Further. the lower end of each rod 25 has secured thereto a bearing block 28, each pair of these bearing blocks being horizontally alined and provided with horizontal passages in which a horizontal shaft 29 is supported. The inner end of each shaft 29 has secured thereto a lever arm 33 and I each shaft 29, between the bearing blocks 28, carries a freely rotatable roller 3|. A cylindrical cam 32 secured to and upstanding from the aforesaid plate |5 is engaged, on its upper surface, by all of the rollers 3|.

Each of the hereinbefore described shafts 28 has secured thereto a hub 32a which may terminate in a plate 33 to which is secured a bag holder H of suitable character such, for example, as described below. As herein shown, each bag holder H may comprise a frame member 34 which is secured in suitable manner to the plate 33. The frame member 34 may have a backing plate 33 suitably secured thereto and said frame member 34 is shown as carrying duplicate upper and lower frames 36 formed from connected members which are disposed in a plane spaced from the plane of the backing plate 35. As shown in Fig. 2, the upper frame 36 comprises angular portions 36a which ar suitably secured to the upper end of the frame member 34 and, further, said upper frame 36 comprises an angular portion 36b which is suitably secured to one side of the frame member 34. The lower frame 36 is secured in similar manner to the lower end and one side of the frame member 34. As regards both frames 33, it should be noted that the respective portions 36b thereof are secured to the same side of the frame member 34. Otherwise, the upper and lower frames 36 are connected to the frame member 34 only at the respective upper and lower ends thereof. Therefore, each holder H is open at one side for the introduction or removal of a bundle of bags B and the latter, when within a holder, rest either upon the portions 36a of the lower frame 36 or upon the portions 36a of the upper frame. This, of course, depends upon which end of the holder H is uppermost since, as hereinafter described, either end of any holder may be uppermost at the option of the operator.

A bundle of bags may be introduced or removed from a holder only at the open side thereof. The other side of the holder is not open for the passage of bags by reason of the provision of the frame portions 331).

Each of the hereinbefore described plates 33 has secured thereto in suitable manner, as by screws 31, a plate member 33, Figs. 3 and 5, which has recesses 33 and 40 formed on the rear surface thereof, the center of these recesses coincidin with the extended diameter of the shaft 23. In accordance with the invention, each plate member 38 has two other recesses 4| and 42 formed on the rear surface thereof, the recess 4| being positioned in a counter-clockwise direction from the recess 39 and the recess 42 being positioned in a clockwise direction from the recess 40, Fig. 5. Preferably, the arcuate space between the recesses 39, 4| is substantially the same. as the arcuate space between the recesses 40, 42. All of the recesses 33, 40, 4| and 42 are positioned the same extended radial distance from the center of shaft 29. In addition, stop pins 43 and 44 are carried by and project from the rear surface of the plate member 33. The stop pin 43 is positioned in a clockwise direction from the recess 33 whereas the stop pin 44 is positioned in a counterclockwise direction from the recess 40, Fig. 5.

Each lower cross member 21, Fig. 3, comprises a forwardly extending portion 21a, Fig. 3, having a horizontal passage formed therein. A springpressed stop member 45 is freely slidable in the horizontal passage of each cross member portion 21a and the outer end of each stop member 45 engages the rear surface of the adJacent plate member 38, said stop member 45 being coactable with the recesses 39, 4| and 40, 42 in the manner hereinafter described.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, I have shown upper and lower arms 46 and 41 which should be disposed in vertical relation. These arms may be mounted in fixed position in any suitable manner. As shown, the upper arm 43 may be fixed to a member 48 (Fig. 1) which is suitably secured to the aforesaid block structure l4. By a bracket 49, the lower arm 41 may be secured to said block structure |4.

As shown particularly in Fig. 2, the base in suitable manner, supports an annular trough or receptacle 50 which contains suitable liquid or viscous material W such, for example, as molten or liquid wax in which the ends of the bags are to be dipped. Pipes 5| which are suitably supported in the trough 50 may be traversed by a heating medium such as steam in order to maintain the wax in a liquid condition. Any other suitable arrangement may be utilized for the purpose stated.

With the form of the invention herein illustrated, there are six of the pairs or sets of rods 25 each of which supports a bag holder H. It will be understood that either a greater or less number of these duplicate parts may be utilized as desired. Further, the arrangement is such that each bag holder H remains continuously above the open trough 50 so thatthe various operations may be effected in the manner hereinafter described.

The operation is as follows:

The motor 3 is energized and thereafter, through the described driving arrangement, the shaft I3 is rotated continuously in a counterclockwise direction, Fig. 1. Corresponding rotative movement is imparted to the described conveyor or table and to the bag holders H.

An operator stands at the location L, Fig, l,

or immediately adjacent thereto. Each bag holder H, as it arrives at this location, should be positioned vertically as indicated in Fig. 3 and in zone I of Fig. 6. when thus positioned, the stop member 45 of the associated cross member 21 is disposed in the recess 38 of the plate member 88 to thereby hold said bag holder in vertical position with the lever arm 30 extending downwardly. At location L, the operator places a bundle of bags B in the bag holder (the bags being held by the bag holder frames 38) as diagrammatically illustrated in zone I of Fig. 6, the stitched ends of the bags being lowermost.

Immediately thereafter, roller 3i which is associated with the bag holder H last named traverses the downwardly sloping surface of the cam 32 and moves downwardly into engagement with the low surface 32a of said cam 32. As a result. the set of rods 25 of said bag holder H moves downwardly and the bag holder is lowered while still remaining vertical. In so doing, the lower ends of the bags B are immersed in the sealing material W to such extent that the perforations defined by each line of stitches are below the surface of the sealing material as shown in zone 11 of Fig. 6. This condition continues while the roller 3i remains in engagement with said low surface 32a of the cam 32. During this period and responsive to continued rotation of the described conveyor or table, the lower ends of the bags are moved through the sealing material W with the result that the line of perforations formed by the sewing machine needle during the stitching operation are filled with sealing material. During continued operation of the machine. the roller 3| traverses the upwardly sloping surface of the cam 32 and. moves upwardly into engagement with the high surface 321) of the cam 32. As a result, the set of rods 25 move upwardly and the bag holder is elevated while still remaining vertical. In so doing, the lower ends of the bags are removed from the sealing material in the trough 50. I

Soon after the roller 3| engages the high surface 32b of the cam 32 and responsive to continued rotation of the described conveyor or table, the lever arm 30, which is secured to the inner end of the supporting shaft 29 for said roller 3|, engages the arm 41, as shown in zone III of Fig. 6, to thereby move the bag holder H in a clockwise direction. As a result, the stop pin 45, Fig. 8, recedes from the recess 39 of the plate member 38 and enters the recess 4i thereof. In so doing, the bag holder H is releasably locked in inclined position as shown in zones III-VI inclusive of Fig. 6. While the bag holder H thus remains inclined, surplus sealing material moves to the lower corner of the bundle of bags and drops into the trough 50.

Horizontal movement of the bag holder H, while inclined as described above, continues in response to continued rotation of the described conveyor or table until said bag holder reaches approximately the location Ll Fig. 1.

An operator stands in the location LI and, if the bundle of bags 13 are of the open-mouth type as described above, namely, that type wherein each bag is provided with a line of stitches at only one end thereof, the operator last named removes the bundle of bags when the described bag holder arrives at zone VI, Fig. 6. Immediately thereafter, by manual action, the operator last named returns said holder to its vertical position as indicated by the broken line showing in said zone VI. In so doing, the stop pin 45 recedes from the recess ll of plate member SI and enters the recess ll thereof. The vertical holder H immediately passes, in response to continued rotation of the described conveyor or table, to location L where the operator first named disposes therein another bundle of bags and, with respect to these, another cycle of operation-is eflected in'the manner described above.

In the event that the operator at location L disposed into the holder H abundle of bags 3 of the stitched .valve type, namely, that type wherein each bag is provided with a line of stitches at each end thereof, theoperator at location Ll, upon arrival there of said holder H in the manner described above, manually swings said holder to inverted, vertical position wherein the end of the stop pin 45 is seated in the recess 40 of the plate member 30. Thereafter, as the inverted holder H passes location L, the operator at this location takes no action. Accordingly, with respect to the inverted holder, another cycle of operation ensues in the general manner hereinbefore described. However, with respect to said inverted holder, after the roller 3| re-engages the high surface 32b of the cam 32, the lever arm 3|], which now extends upwardly, engages the arm 46, as shown in zone IIIa of Fig. 7 to thereby move said inverted bag holder H in a counter-clockwise direction. As a result, the stop pin 45, Fig. 3, recedes from the recess 40 of the plate member 38 and enters the recess 42 thereof. In so doing, the inverted bag holder H is releasably locked in inclined position as shown in zones IIIaI-VIa of Fig. 7. Accordingly, in the manner described above, surplus sealing material drops from the lowermost ends of the bags and passes into the trough 50. Horizontal movement of the inverted bag holder H, whiie inclined as described above, continues in response to continued rotation of the described conveyor or table. When the inverted bag holder reaches location Ll, the operator removes therefrom the bundle of bags which have now been dipped at both ends and restores the inverted, inclined bag holder to its normal (uninverted), vertical position. Thereafter, the operator at location L, disposes therein another bundle of bags in 'the manner described above.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that the described conveyor or table rotates continuously to carry the bag holders H in succession along a circular path. As each bag holder arrives at location L, a bundle of bags is disposed therein and, during continued movement of the conveyor or table, the various operations hereinbefore described are performed. Depending upon the type of bags which are being dipped, the operator, at location Li, either removes the bundle of bags from each bag holder or inverts the bag holder and the bundle of bags disposed therein as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.

In connection with the foregoing, a bag holder H, when positioned as shown in zone I of Fig. 6, has been described as its normal, uninverted position. As well, if desired, each bag holder H, when the bundle of bags are to be disposed therein at location L, may be in inverted position and, if so, the sequence of operations will be the same as hereinbefore described with the exception that the inclined position of each bag holder, during the first transit thereof, will be reversed from that shown in Fig. 6 and, if a second transit occurs for double-end bag dipping,the inclined positions thereof will be reversed from that shown in Fig. '7.

It will be understood that the positions of the recesses 4|, 42 formed in the plate member 38 are so selected that the stop member 45 moves into registry with each recess when the bag holder is moved either to the position shown in zones III-VI of Fig. 6 or the position shown in zones Ina-Via of Fig.7.

As each bag holder arrives at zone VI, Fig. 6, it 'may be moved to inverted position only by swinging the same in a clockwise direction. Movement of the bag holder to inverted position in a reverse direction is prevented due to the fact that the portion 21a of the cross member 21 is adapted to prevent movement of the stop pin 43 in a counterclockwise direction, Fig. 5. When each bag holder is moved to' inverted position as described above, the bundle of bags rest on the bag holder frame portions 36b and, hence, do not drop from the bag holder. Should the bag holder be moved in a counter-clockwise direction, zone VI of Fig. 6, the bags would drop from the holder unless manually restrained.

As will be understood in view of the foregoing description and as shown by the broken lines, Fig. 5, stop pin 44, when the associated bag holder is in inverted position, is adapted to engage the aforesaid portion 21a of the cross member 21 to prevent movement of said bag holder toward normal (uninverted) position in such direction that the bags would drop therefrom.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that the machine or mechanism of my invention functions in an eflicient manner to dip one or both ends of a bundle of bags into liquid wax or the like which permeates or closes the line .of perforations formed by the sewing machine at the time that the ends of the bag are sewed together. Further, in an automatic manner, the machine elevates the bags above the sealing material and thereafter tilts the bags so that surplus sealing material drains or drops from one corner of the bags. By my invention, then, the bag perforations produced by the sewing machine are closed or sealed. Subsequently, when the bags are used as containers for hygroscopic material, there is little or no leakage through the bag perforations. It shall be understood, however, that the bags which are dipped by the machine of my invention may be used as containers for materials of other character than as noted above.

While the invention has been described with respect to a certain particular preferred example which gives satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a substantially circular trough adapted to contain liquid sealing material, a conveyor mounted for movement along a circular path above and substantially parallel to the level of liquid in said trough, a plurality of spaced bag holderssupported by said conveyor above said trough, means for actuating said conveyor to move said bag holders with respect to said trough, means for moving each bag holder downwardly and then upwardly with respect to said trough, and means for thereafter tilting each bag holder. said moving means and said tilting means being effective during operation of said actuating means.

2. In combination, a substantially circular trough adapted to contain liquid sealing material, a conveyor mounted for movement along a circular path above and substantially parallel to liquid level in said trough, a motor for imparting continuous rotative movement to said conveyor, a plurality of supporting devices carried by said conveyor and movable vertically with respect thereto, a bag holder carried by each supporting device in vertical relation with respect to said trough, a cylindrical cam for moving each supporting device downwardly and then upwardly with respect to said trough, and means for tilting each bag holder with respect to its supporting device, said cam and said tilting meansbelng effective for the purpose stated during operation of said motor.

3. In combination, a substantially circular trough adapted to contain liquid sealing material, a conveyor mounted for movement along a circular path, a motor for imparting continuous rotative movement to said conveyor, a plurality of supporting devices carried by said conveyor and movable vertically with respect thereto, each supporting device comprising a horizontal shaft, a bag holder carried by each shaft, a cylindrical cam, a roller carried by each shaft for engagement with said cam. an arm carried by each shaft, and means engaged by each arm during rotary movement of said conveyor to rock the associated shaft and the bag holder carried thereby.

4. In a bag dipping machine, a horizontal shaft, means supporting said shaft for vertical oscillatory movement while horizontally disposed, a bag holder supported by and adapted for oscillatory vertical movement with said shaft, and means constructed and arranged to permit said bag holder to be angularly shiftable about the axis of said shaft, said last named means comprising a plate member secured to said bag holder for oscillatory movement therewith, said last named means further comprising a biased stop member carried by said supporting means and coactable with said plate member.

5. In a bag dipping machine. a horizontal shaft, means supporting said shaft for vertical movement while horizontally disposed, a bag holder carried by said shaft, a plate member secured to said bag holder, said plate member having a plurality of spaced recesses formed in one face thereof, and a biased stop member carried by said supporting means and coactable alternately with said recesses to releasably hold said bag holder in different angular positions.

6. In a bag dipping machine, a horizontal shaft, means supporting said shaft for vertical movement while horizontally disposed, a bag holder carried by said shaft, a plate member secured to said bag holder, said plate member having a plurality of sets of spaced recesses formed in one face thereof, said sets of spaced recesses being disposed approximately at opposite respective sides of said shaft, and a biased stop member carried by said supporting means and coactable alternately with said recesses to releasably hold said bag holder in different positions with respect to said supporting means.

7. In a bag dipping machine, a horizontal shaft, means supporting said shaft for vertical movement while horizontally disposed, a bag holder carried by said shaft, a plate member secured to said bag holder, said plate member having a plurality of sets of spaced recesses formed in one faeethereotsaidsetsoispaeedreeessesbeins disposed approximately at opposite respective sides oi said shaft. a biased stop member carried by said supporting means and eoaetajble alternately with said recesses to releasably hold said bag holder in diiierent positions gith respect to said shaft. and a stop pin carried by said plate member adjacent each set of recesses. each stop pin being adapted to alternately engfage saidv supporting means to limit totative mov'e'inent of 10 said bag holder on its horizontal support shaft.

EDRIC W. VREDENB REFERENCES CITED The following references are of reeord in the .1 me of this patent:

Number 10 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Ellison Mar. 2, 1915 Stone Dec. 4, 1917 Whitaker Nov. 24. 1925 Eckstein Nov. 27, 1928 Molyneaux Jan. 16, 1934 Ferngren----..----, July 11, 1939 Kronquest July 2, 1940 Ross Feb. 10, 1942 Anderson Aug. 6. 1946 

